Week 2: Volunteer Mass

Today, on the Feast of St. Bonaventure, 97 volunteers gathered at Mass to pray for everyone journeying to Steubenville Mid-America, Fearless: Week 2! Bishop Rice, of the Diocese of Springfield – Cape Girardeau, celebrated the liturgy.

In the First Reading, the prophet Isaiah calls Hezekiah, a dying man, to “put your house in order.” Bishop Rice reminded the volunteers that these same words can be spoken to us. One day, we too shall die. However, as people of faith, we know that our story doesn’t end there. Even though fear might be present in our final moment, we know that dying becomes our, “last and greatest act of faith,” as we trust in the life of the world to come.

Having this vision – knowing that eternity is real – means that the way in which we live, is immensely important. This belief SHOULD have an impact on how we interact with one another. Acting in the name of Christ gives purpose to what we do. As Bishop Rice put it, “We live in this world with our eyes set on eternity.”

What Does That Mean for us This Weekend?

St. Bonaventure enlightens us to this reality: “If you learn everything except Christ, you learn nothing. If you learn nothing except Christ, you learn everything.” That is the purpose behind these conferences; we help young people discover Christ, and the Truth found in Him. We help them learn Christ.

St. Bonaventure, pray for us!

“I say to you, something greater than the temple is here.” 
– Matthew 12:6

Written by Melissa Hunter